90 +3 mins Rodallega tries to get a shot at goal but Ferdinand throws his body in the way. A last chance for the home side as they win a free-kick 30 yards from goal. Last time they had a go from this range, United and Rooney raced down the other end and scored. What can they produce now? Rodallega stands round it, but can't get his effort over the wall. And that's full-time.

90 + 1mins Senderos gets his head on a corner but Van Persie is back on the line to head clear the danger. With Fulham throwing everyone forward, Hernandez finds himself one-on-one with Schwarzer at the other end, but the Mexican striker's effort is blocked and Fulham have one more throw of the dice.

90 mins Three minutes of stoppage time at the Cottage as Rodallega plays in Riether who in turn tries to dink a cross back to the forward but it's too high.

Steve Chapman asks: I seem to recall that numerous floodlight failures at West Ham some seasons ago were alleged to have been be rigged by eastern betting syndicates. Was this ever proved?

88 mins Good late pressure from Fulham but just as it looks like they're primed to set up another attack and Riether's concentration goes and the ball goes out for a throw in.

87 mins Emmanuelson has shown some nice touches since his arrival but another sprayed ball out wide would have to see Duff replaced by Usain Bolt on the flank if he was going to reach that.

84 mins United bring Welbeck on for Nani.

83 mins Riether skips his way past Rooney but United win the ball back and Rooney goes on his own run. He exchanges passes with Van Persie then finds Nani in space on the right inside the box. Nani's cross finds Van Persie in acres of space yards out but the Dutchman attempts a scissor-kick and it's over. Not that it matters as the ref blows for offside too.

79 minsRoute one from United as Rooney latches on to a long ball as Senderos is caught out. The England forward controls it and bends it past Schwarzer into the far corner of the net. Harsh on Fulham, but Rooney does have a habit of scoring against the Cottagers.

78 mins Host of Fulham players gather round a free-kick 30 yards from goal, surely this is prime Riise territory? No, it's Baird that wins the right to take aim but his effort was always rising.

76 mins Emmanuelson finds himself in loads of space on the left, whips into the box but Evans clears for a corner without being under too much pressure. From the resultant corner, Rafael heads clear to keep Fulham at bay..but for how long?

75 mins Another change for United as Cleverley makes way for Giggs.

74 mins A roar goes up around Craven Cottage as Dejagh picks up the ball on edge of United area, goes on a surging 80-metre run but his pass is loose and United clear the danger.

73 mins All Fulham now as Ruiz tries his luck down the left flank, floats a ball to the back stick and beats Evra to the header but the ball loops over the bar.

70 mins Dejagh plays the ball inside to Riether who takes one touch and attempts to beat De Gea with a cross-shot but the United keeper gets down low to keep him at bay.

John Prince emails in: United need to buy Hymnals or Baines next season because their defence is truly rubbish and I'm even a united fan myself

68 mins Emmanuelson is in the thick of it straight away as he dispossesses Ferdinand and tries to play the ball into Ruiz's path but it doesn't come off much to the annoyance of the enthusiastic home fans.

67 mins Fulham take off Karagounis and home fans get a glimpse of transfer deadline day signing Emmanuelson.

66 mins Van Persie and Rooney hover around the free-kick 30 yards from goal. A one-two later and Van Persie tries a curler round the wall which is easily collected by Schwarzer.

65 mins Fulham string a series of passes together but a loose one from Ruiz is easily picked up by Rafael and United surge forward through Valencia who is brought down. It's the last of his action as he makes way for Hernandez.

63 mins Hernandez is stripping off and about to be introduced. Back on the pitch and Cleverley sprays a long ball into Van Persie's path and he pulls back to Nani from the byline but his effort is deflected over.

61 mins Rodallega juggles the ball with his back to goal and lays it off to Riether who in turn whips in a centre but there's no Fulham player in the box to get on the end of it.

60 mins Now Rafael's sloppiness allows Ruiz to gain possession but Fulham can't mount an attack and United keep the pressure on.

58 mins Carrick picks up the ball goes surging into Fulham's half and tries to play in Van Persie on the left-hand side of the area, the Dutchman is called up for offside.

54 mins Ruiz collects the ball in the centre circle but looses out, Ferdinand over-runs the ball and Karagounis takes advantage pouncing on the ball and taking aim at goal but he can't test De Gea.

52 mins Now Valencia tries his luck down the right, plays one-two with Van Persie and gets to the byline but he's penalised for an offside.

50 mins Rafael finds space down Fulham right but United defender is tracked back and we're waiting for first real opening of the second half.

47 mins Dejagh twists and turns down right flank but misses opportunity to centre and loses out to Evra.

46 mins Second half under way and Fulham make one change with Hughes coming on to replace Hangeland...before he scores an own goal. Official line is defender has taken a 'knock'.

45+1 mins Riether tries to weave his way through United defence down right but he walks into trouble and the ref blows for half-time.

43 mins We're back under way but Fulham manage to clear the danger from a Van Persie corner, the Dutchman picks up the ball again, this time on the edge of the area, and his low shot is saved by Schwarzer. That's the most we've seen from Van Persie this half. He's been very quiet by his standards.

UPDATE: the lights are coming back on, slowly but surely. Players are emerging from the tunnel, if you can call it that at Craven Cottage, more like alleyway and the game will be restarted - albeit for a couple of minutes and then it will be half-time anyway.

GAME HELD UP: The players are led off the field of play as the blackout continues at Fulham. Referee Kevin Friend makes decision to call game to a halt for time being while they fix the problem.

42 mins The lights are out at Craven Cottage. The only lights working are the advertising hoardings. Ooooh spooky.

41 mins More patient build up from United but Fulham intercept and Dejagh goes on the rampage before he runs into a brick wall.

39 mins Duff loops in a free-kick from the right but Evans heads clear and United try to break quickly.

36 mins Nani takes on Riether again but the left-back has been equal to everything he's tried so far. United switch it over to the right for Valencia and patient build up later and Fulham win possession back.

32 mins Cleverley finds Rooney on the edge of the area and the England forward bends a shot which comes back off the post. That's the fourth time the woodwork has taken a beating this evening already and we're only just over half-an-hour into proceedings.

29 mins Evra is laid flat out on the floor after being caught in the middle of Evans's leap with Ruiz. Cameras centre in on Rafael boots which show he's actually wearing his brother Fabio's boots leading us to wonder what his sibling turned out for against Norwich earlier today. Probably his second pair, or his third or...

27 mins Dejagh takes the ball to the byline but is caught in a United defensive sandwich and the ball is ushered out for another corner.

25 mins Hangeland avoids getting his head on the next set-piece which comes to nothing. Carrick picks up a loose ball and tries to find Valencia in space through the middle but the winger can't latch onto the ball despite his best efforts.

24 mins Rooney plays in Nani down the left and he cuts inside but his run is checked and cross blocked for another corner. Hangeland time again?

21 mins After a flurry of chances both teams struggle to string a few passes together with game maintaining a blistering pace. It is cold out there, just ask glove-wearing Nani. Scrub that, Nani always wears gloves whatever the weather.

18 mins If ever a game lived up to the 'end-to-end' cliche it's this one. In a flash Fulham break forward in numbers and this time Dejagh lets fly with a rasping effort just inside the box which swerves just wide of De Gea's left-hand post.

17 mins Rooney charges into Hangeland in the box and falls to the turf claiming a penalty, nothing's doing though.

16 mins Hangeland seems hell bent on scoring an own goal this evening. The defender has just got his head on another United corner and finds the cross-bar this time.

15 mins Fulham switch from defence to attack in a split second. Riise lays off to Ruiz on edge of area and he drills his shot against the foof the post.

14 mins Nani manages to keep in a long pass from Rooney on the byline but he can't centre and Fulham are back on the attack.

10 mins Riise lets rip with a 20-yard thunderbolt which gives De Gea all sorts of problems. He manages to get his fingertips to it to push it over the bar.

8 mins Schwarzer denies United early lead, reaching out to prevent Hangeland heading an own goal from the corner before Evra must score but hits the bar, Riether then clears off line from Rooney and Schwarzer saves a second Evra effort to keep it all level.

7 mins Rooney whips in first corner of the match but Fulham clear their lines. Valencia picks up the ball down the right but his centre is blocked for a second corner.

5 mins Ruiz tries to walk his way through United defence but Evans is equal to it and when Fulham man fouls him, United clear the danger. Lively start from both sides now.

4 mins Rodallega is played through by Ruiz but decides to centre for Dejagh who pulls the trigger but his effort is blocked.

3 mins Cleverley picks up loose ball on edge of area and distributes out wide but Fulham thwart attack.

1 min Schwarzer darts to edge of penalty area and clears as United press early.

And we're underway...

17.25 Great stat from Ray Stubbs. The team leading the Premier League on Feb 1 has gone on to win the title for the last 10 seasons. Might as well all go home now then.

17.20 Fulham victories over United are few and far between over the last few years. Here's one the Fulham fans will remember from March 2009 - their first win over their nemesis in 45 years on home turf. Their 2-0 win was made extra special by the sendings off of Paul Scholes and Rooney, the latter taking his dismissal out on the corner flag as he made his way for the tunnel. Tut, tut.

The boy has learnt from his errors, though.

<noframe>Twitter: OptaJoe - 4 - Wayne Rooney has scored four goals in his last four Premier League appearances against Fulham. Gamble.</noframe>

17.10 Robin van Persie will take over spot-kick duties today if the case arises after Wayne Rooney admitted he no longer deserves the role.

With a record of nine penalties from 27 attempts for United, Rooney felt it best the baton was handed over.

It was my choice. I went in to speak with the manager and said I’d spoken with Robin and told him he could take them."

17.00 Afternoon and welcome as Man United look to stretch their lead at the top of the table to 10 points before rivals City take on Liverpool tomorrow afternoon. On paper it looks like it could be another straightforward trip to Craven Cottage with Sir Alex Ferguson's men having won six and drawn one of their latest seven encounters - their most recent success coming seven days ago in the FA Cup fourth round.

Luckily for Fulham they have extra flair and firepower in their ranks today courtesy of Martin Jol's little venture into the transfer window this week.

Dutch midfielder Urby Emmanuelson has joined from AC Milan and Emmanuel Frimpong has left Arsenal to take a dip into life in the west end until the end of the season.

Team News

Nani and Rio Ferdinand return for United as Ferguson makes five changes from side who beat Southampton in midweek.

Antonio Valencia, Rafael and Tom Cleverley are back in for United with Rooney and Van Persie leading the line.

Only one of Fulham's deadline-day arrivals, Emmanuelson, makes the bench for the hosts, who are missing former United striker Dimitar Berbatov with a hamstring injury.